Rashmi Airan is a captivating speaker, transformation expert, and Ivy League-educated attorney. As a former Wall Street investment banker and independent law practitioner, she faced a federal prison sentence that reshaped her life. Now, she inspires leaders to embrace vulnerability and resilience through her RISE THROUGH IT™ framework. With her story of overcoming unimaginable challenges and over 30 years of experience, Rashmi has collaborated with Fortune 100 companies, empowering others how to break free from fear and turn setbacks into success.
Bill Benjamin is an expert in Emotional Intelligence, Performance, and Leadership with advanced degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science and 25 years of business experience. He shares his early career struggles with leadership under pressure and teaches practical techniques for improvement. As a partner at the Institute for Health and Human Potential (IHHP), Bill contributes to creating high-performance, high-accountability cultures through the Last 8% Culture System. His scientific approach and dynamic style resonate with analytical audiences like surgeons, U.S. Marines, and NASA engineers, making him a sought-after speaker.
Aubrey Blanche-Sarellano is The Mathpath (Math Nerd + Empath), VP of Equitable Operations at Culture Amp, and a startup investor, and advisor. She questions, reimagines, and redesigns the systems that surround us to ensure that all people access equitable opportunities.
Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew is the President and CEO of Soulstice Consultancy, providing guidance on philanthropy, community engagement, leadership development, and organizational culture support. She founded the Reconciliation and Restoration Foundation and is an adjunct faculty member at Tulane University. She authored four books, including Empowering Charity. She also co-founded HERitage Giving Circle, Power in Action-Dallas, and the South Dallas Employment Project.
Dr. V Boykin is a keynote speaker, published researcher, and leader in the organizational leadership and equity space. Dr. V’s expertise is creating equitable work experiences for women and people of color. Dr. V established clear evidence to illustrate the importance of social support systems in tackling workplace equity through shifts in the social environment.
Madison Butler is an unapologetic advocate for authenticity, vulnerability, and creating workplaces where people feel safe to show up as their true selves. Known for building bold, ethical and authentic brands through storytelling, tough empathy and data, Madison facilitates conversations that many shy away from—conversations about mental health, trauma, and the courage it takes to be vulnerable at work. She has been recognized by Linkedin as a top Black voice to follow and her first book, “Let Them See You: Empowering Change Through Authenticity,” will be released in Summer 2025.
Paula Caligiuri is the founder & CEO of Skiilify and a renowed work psychologist dedicated to helping companies, teams, and professionals become effective in today's multicultural environment. As a Distinguished Professor of International Business, she shares her expertise through books, research articles, and podcasts. Paula's work influences multicultural effectiveness, global leadership development, and cultural agility. Paula holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology and is a Fellow of SIOP and AIB.
Tania Desa, CEO of Desa Global Leadership Inc., is a renowned keynote speaker specializing in workplace inclusion and leadership empowerment. With experience in over 87 countries and collaborations with global brands like Google and American Express, she empowers leaders to build diverse, high-performing teams and foster cultures of belonging. Tania's mission is to inspire inclusive leadership that transforms workplaces worldwide.
For the past 15 years, Matthew Emerzian has been on a mission to create a world where everyone embraces how much and why they matter. He is the bestselling author of four books, a highly sought-after keynote speaker, having taken the stage for Zoom, Google, Outreach, HP, Jack in the Box, Chili's, Genentech, Amgen, and more, and his work has been hailed by Oprah.com, The Today Show, Fast Company, and several other media outlets.
Melinda Briana Epler has over 25 years of experience developing business innovation and inclusion strategies for startups, Fortune 500 companies, and global NGOs. As CEO of Empovia, Melinda works with the tech industry to solve diversity and inclusion together. Using her background in storytelling and large-scale culture change, she is a strategic advisor for tech companies, tech hubs, and governments around the world.
Lisa Even is a dynamic leadership speaker and expert with over a decade of experience in cultivating high-performing team cultures. Specializing in creating authentic connections and shared ownership, she empowers leaders to enhance productivity and engagement. Through her relatable storytelling and actionable strategies, Lisa inspires audiences to foster positivity and innovation in their workplaces. She is also the host of the podcast "Have Good Ripple Effect" and author of "Joy is My Job."
Leanne Hughes, an internationally recognized keynote speaker, facilitator, and best-selling author of The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint: Design Fast. Deliver Strong. Without Stress., is celebrated for her bold creativity and practical strategies. Known as a “Thought Breeder,” she combines expertise in influence, group dynamics, and leadership to inspire action and deliver extraordinary results for leaders and teams worldwide. A member of the Million Dollar Consulting® Hall of Fame, Leanne also hosts the First Time Facilitator podcast and the upcoming Leanne on Demand, launching in 2025.
John Iino is a proven change agent, global law firm leader, diversity professional, and executive coach. He founded Cumbre Alta Advisors, providing DEI consulting, training, and coaching. As Chief Diversity Officer for Reed Smith, he increased the number of diverse lawyers by 79% and improved the firm's ranking in the American Lawyer's Diversity Scorecard from #120 to #22. Currently, John is the Interim ASVP for Alumni Relations at USC and a frequent keynote speaker on DEI, leadership, and effective management.
Omar Johnson, a remarkable leader, played a pivotal role in Beats by Dre's rise to a $3 billion acquisition by Apple. He is the CEO and Founder of ØPUS United and ØPUS Intelligence Labs, revolutionizing marketing tech. Johnson's dynamic human-centric approach to marketing and popular speaking engagements with Fortune 500 companies, such as AT&T, Salesforce, and ServiceNow, have earned him the title of one of the "Most Innovative CMOs" by Business Insider.
Scott McArthur offers an unusual mix of experience, having worked as a research scientist, HR director, business consultant, rock musical producer, writer, keynote, and TEDx speaker. His delivery style, which he has developed across the sectors over 20 years, is humorous, well-crafted, inspiring, and direct.
Called a “master storyteller,” Anthony McLean delivers lively presentations on Mental Health, Workplace Culture, and Storytelling for Leaders. He believes the future belongs to those who tell the best stories. His first book, All Fired Up, explores how personal well-being is the foundation for energy and success. Anthony also works in the Film & TV industry. As a screenwriter, he is currently in development on two feature films. He lives with his wife, their two kids, and an impressive collection of 90s movies.
Shasta Nelson, a leading expert on relationships, is a keynote speaker, media resource, and author of three books, including The Business of Friendship. For over 15 years, she has helped organizations like Google and LinkedIn strengthen workplace connections, boosting retention, engagement, and collaboration.
Julian Newman is the founder and CEO of Culture Creative, an international award-winning leadership development and diversity & inclusion consulting firm. Julian is a certified and Anthem Award-winning Diversity & Inclusion leader based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As a cultural intelligence strategist, author, and motivational speaker, Julian has spoken to more than 100,000 people nationally and internationally during the past 20 years.
Mark Ostach helps people find the courage to connect. A globally recognized speaker on Digital Wellness and frequently featured in the USA Today, Mark has done two TED talks, written 2 books, and spoken to thousands of people encouraging them to embrace a spirit of courage through vulnerability. Mark has degrees in psychology, technology, and an interest in behavioral neuroscience. His mission is to remind the world that human connection is the most powerful connection we have. So please check your phones one last time and get ready to be inspired by Mark Ostach!
Yemi Penn is a courageous, powerful, kind and compassionate thought leader. With over two decades working on the field and in corporate environments in the U.K, USA and Australia; her drive for excellence through energetic brilliance is a rare find. She invites teams, senior leaders and executives to ignite their Rebellious Curiosity. This allows them to achieve superior results in their business functions, providing a point of difference. Yemi shares ways to do this in a sustainable way to ensure wellness in the people and the profits.
Dr. Katie Pritchett is an educator and business leader with nearly 20 years of experience supporting businesses of all sizes. With expertise in strategic innovation, leadership coaching, and organizational agility, she has held roles at UT Austin, the U.S. Department of Education, and Slalom Consulting. As founder and CEO of KPI Coaching, LLC, she delivers tailored executive coaching, leadership workshops, and keynotes.
As chief executive officer and a member of the board of directors of WD-40 Company, Garry Ridge is responsible for developing and implementing high-level strategies, all operations, and the oversight of all relationships and partnerships for the company. Garry is passionate about the learning and empowering organizational culture he has helped establish at the WD-40 Company, and his vision and leadership have positively impacted the WD-40 Company in both measurable and immeasurable ways.
Pat Wadors is the Chief People Officer of UKG, overseeing HR functions for their 14,000+ workforce. With extensive experience in tech companies like Procore and ServiceNow, she's a thought leader in HR and a published author in The Harvard Business Review. An advocate for diversity and inclusion, Pat has developed frameworks and delivered inspiring speeches worldwide. She's known for her empathy and talent for storytelling, making her a standout speaker.
John Wang is the author of Big Asian Energy (Penguin Random House, 2025), a leadership and communication coach with 15+ years of experience. He has spoken on stages at TEDx, McKinsey, and leading colleges, sharing insights on breaking internal barriers to success. An engaging and uplifting speaker, John shares relatable stories of breaking free from our cultural and social barriers, and gives tangible techniques to help audiences speak up boldly and authentically, even when facing imposter syndrome, inner-criticism, or self-doubt.
Rebecca Weaver, Founder and CEO at HRuprise, is an influential figure in human resources with over twenty years of experience. She is known for her strategic leadership and innovative HR solutions. Rebecca is a celebrated author, speaker, and cancer survivor. Her keynotes integrate personal resilience with professional insights, offering strategies for adaptive leadership and empathic culture. Her work has been featured in major publications and conferences.